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Cage Warriors 52: James v Philpott, Bassett v Sizeland

THE card for Cage Warriors 52 is taking shape following the addition of two more bouts to the bill.

The event, which takes place at London’s HMV Forum on Saturday, March 9, will be headlined by a welterweight title bout between Cathal Pendred and defending champion Gael Grimaud.

Officials have today announced that Liam James (pictured) and Alan Philpott are to meet in a bantamweight bout, while a middleweight rematch between Brett Bassett and Brett Sizeland has also been set for the organisation’s first show of 2013.

James and Philpott had been scheduled to square off at Cage Warriors 51 on New Year’s Eve, but a knee injury forced James out of the fight.

Philpott (7-3), who hails from Northern Ireland, made an impressive CWFC debut back in October, submitting Kris Edwards in the first round of their clash at Cage Warriors 49.

The 20-year-old said: “This is a fight that really suits me. I’m not worried about Liam’s stand-up and if he takes me down I’ll submit him. It won’t be a walkover but I will finish him. I think it could be Fight of the Night.”

James (6-4) recorded a career-best victory over Jean N’Doye at CWFC Fight Night 5 in Jordan last April, before moving down from featherweight and suffering a second-round submission loss to Olivier Pastor.

“I’ll put the fight where I want and knock Alan out or submit him,” said James, a 28-year-old Newcastle native. “Either way I’m going to win this fight.”

Bassett and Sizeland will meet for a second time following their previous clash – at Cage Warriors 45 in February of last year – which ended in a win for Sizeland by doctor stoppage after Bassett sustained a cut to the back of his head.

Sizeland (6-2), a 31-year-old Englishman, is a veteran of three CWFC victories but will be keen to return to winning ways following a loss to Denniston Sutherland at Cage Warriors 48 last July.

“I love a good rematch. I can’t wait,” said Sizeland. “Don’t blink because it’s going to be explosive and the outcome will be the same as last time.”

Bassett (8-3) is coming off a stunning KO victory over Mike Ling at last September’s CWFC Fight Night 7 in Jordan, a win that came after just 38 seconds of the first round.

The 26-year-old Londoner said: “This is my chance to set things straight. Sizeland didn’t beat me, he cut me and the fight was stopped. I came into that fight unprepared but that won’t happen this time. I’ll show that Sizeland isn’t on my level.”

More Cage Warriors 52 bouts will be announced in the coming days. Keep track of Cage Warriors on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.

Tickets for Cage Warriors 52, which takes place at London’s HMV Forum on March 9, are available to purchase HERE.